World Cup

[monks data]

Attendance: 41,279

World Cup | Group Stage

Jun 16, 2018 at 11am UK

France
2-1
Australia Australia

Griezmann (58' pen.), Behich (80' og.)

FT(HT: 0-0)

Jedinak (62' pen.)

France midfielder Paul Pogba: 'I never listen to criticism'

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 18 June 2018

Paul Pogba admits that being criticised more than others is something that he has become accustomed to following his £89m switch to Manchester United two years ago.

France and Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba has confessed that he is "less entitled to make mistakes than others", but tends to avoid any criticism aimed his way.

The 25-year-old has endured a hit-and-miss two years at United since arriving in a then-record £89m transfer from Juventus in 2016.

Pogba was jeered by his own fans during a pre-World Cup friendly for France, though he responded well by playing a direct part in both of Les Bleus' goals in their 2-1 win against Australia on Saturday.

Due to his hefty price tag, the former Juve star admits that having numerous doubters is something that he has become accustomed to.

"I am less entitled to make mistakes than others," he is quoted as saying by The Mirror. "I went from the biggest transfer in the world to the most criticised player in the world. The critics are always here. That's football.

"When I was little, with my friends, we always used to take the p*** out of each other, saying 'You were good, you were bad.' It's what happens on every football pitch and I treat the criticism now like I did when I was playing on the block as a kid.

"I never listen to it. I'm out there having fun – and that's the only answer I can give to all those people who criticise me or think I am this or that. It's not a big deal. Everybody has opinions."

Pogba will next be in action on Wednesday afternoon when France face Peru in their second Group C outing.